The decision to deploy a Patriot missile battery and F-16 aircraft to Jordan was made late Friday at a meeting with top military and civilian Defense Department officials to bolster U.S. military support for Jordan - a crucial ally in the Middle East - as the violence from the Syrian civil war spreads, according to a senior U.S. official, CNN has learned.

The official declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation and also declined to say who was in the meeting. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been traveling outside the United States, and it could not be learned if he attended via teleconference, although several officials tell CNN he was aware of the discussions and approved the deployment.

The overall goal is to demonstrate U.S. military support for an increasingly fragile Jordan, which is bearing the burden of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and a growing potential threat from extremist elements including an al Qaeda affiliate organization operating inside Syria.

The weapons systems will be sent initially as part of a military exercise called Eager Lion, planned for later this month, with an understanding they may stay in the country. There is clearly a broader message being sent, according to U.S. military officials.

"In order to enhance the defensive posture and capacity of Jordan, some of these assets may remain beyond the exercise at the request of the government of Jordan," Lt .Col. T.G. Taylor, a spokesman at the U.S. Central Command, told CNN.

The Patriot missiles were originally expected to be sent from their base at Ft. Bliss, Texas, but the senior official said they may simply be redeployed from Patriots already in the Middle East. Jordan does not face a Scud missile threat from Syria, but the deployment comes amid growing concern that some Syrian missiles are being shipped to Hezbollah and could be used to attack targets across the region.

In recent days, violence has spread to Lebanon, and Israeli forces have increased security along their northern border. The F-16s and air crews will train with Jordanian combat air forces amid growing pressure from some in Congress for the White House to support a no-fly zone over Syria.

Separately from the exercise, the United States is sending 200 military planners from the headquarters of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss to Jordan to assist in long-term planning with Jordanian forces in case a chemical weapons crisis erupts, or if a wide scale humanitarian relief mission is ordered.

soundoff(982 Responses)

WeirdMN

Great. Our nation is literally collapsing around us and President Odumbo keeps sending our money to other nations WHO HATE US instead of fixing our bridges that we all have to drive over every day. What the h*ll is wrong with that man – is he completely insane? How did this nut-job get elected to a second term? He doesn't care one bit about this country, he cares more about Muslim countries. He should resign and move to Syria if he's so concerned about that sand pit.

Do you also mean like Democrats Johnson, Kennedy, Truman, Roosevelt and Wilson? Or the incompetent forays of Carter and Clinton?

June 3, 2013 at 1:53 pm |

eric

be thankful he hasn't done that....yet....

June 3, 2013 at 1:54 pm |

hitman

Boots are on the ground already. Do you think that the gov't would tell you that?

June 3, 2013 at 1:55 pm |

TrudyBird

Excellent reply!

June 3, 2013 at 1:58 pm |

staunch

Wow, is it me or you thank mule in the room. Thanks to Odumbo we are not in Syria. I think you have the black guy confused for the war Hawk Mc Senile. Where is your out cry? I know why, it is not present because Mc Senile is lilly. You need to have a friggin seat.

Calm down, calm down... if we don't do this Iran will take over Syria and we will have more threats in the world. You must understand we are the envy of all nations. And many nations depend much on us. If we don't act the way we try to act right now maybe we are surrounded by more countries trying to rob our freedom.

First off, the GOP blocked the 2011 Jobs Act he proposed that would of invested in infrastructure to FIX the bridges. So get your facts straight. Second, Jordan is an ally of the US in the region and also not hostile to Israel, so it makes sense to support them. This is a strategic move to bolster an ally. So Obama is not being a dummy, he is actually being smart here

So...one President spends trillions on two wars (And you don't complain, or call him names) the next President spend billions to get us out of the same wars and yet you attack him....What's wrong with this picture??????

I have many Israeli friends but lets face it Israel is as much a terrorist state as Syria or Palestine. Benjamin N. is a bully and doesnt want peace. I say cut our funding for Israel as well. We give over 4 billion a year to Israel.

Israel is trying to survive between Hezbollah in the north and Hamas in the south. Both of these "groups" have charters that make a point of destroying Israel. In addition, Syria and other arab countries would also like to erase Israel from the map. The recognition of their right to exist by these neighbors would go a long way to ending this. Until then, they have a right to defend themselves.

June 3, 2013 at 1:53 pm |

writingmomma

There are many issues that our country could and should be dealing with right here. I am tired of working like a damn dog and watching my taxes eat up my paycheck, only to see it used on mess like this. The US needs to handle its own domestic garbage, before it goes digging in someone else's garbage!!!

Yes we do, let's have a fair fight here. Israeel will not come to any meaningful table unless she is facing a big gun. She has been the bully in the hood for too long. America should be ashamed of supporting such a racist regime. They cry Holocaust victims but are more ruthless than the Nazis. This blatant lie has to stop, Joseph lived amongst the Egyptians( burnt face), his Brothers did not recognize him amongst the burnt faces, you know why? Hahaha-because Joseph had a dam burnt face. Hebrew is not Yiddish! Go back to the land of Gog and Magog!

@ Chris. This information was released by an official military spokesperson, therefore it is not an OPSEC "violation", at least not technically. It's a planned message to would-be aggressors in the region. I agree it would be better, from an OPSEC perspective at least, to wait to say anything until after they were deployed; however, that runs the risk of it coming out in the media we were secretly putting military assets into the region and potential issues that might bring up. It's essentially a no-win issue in that sense, at least until one of our Patriot sites intercepts some missles inbound to Jordan. The planes are a bit trickier situation if something were to occur during the joint military exercise and they're fired upon and return fire; it's a more difficult one to explain / prove. Let's just hope Assad goes away one way or another before this escalates into a regional war; it already is headed that way.

It seems we tend to prop up what we view as the more virtuous regime only to regret it later. We have yet to make genuine, long term friends with anyone in the Middle East other than Israel. We're just buying time.

Has anyone ever entertained the thought that if all countries quit arming these idiots, and let them fight with rocks, the war would not last very long? Look on the good side.Population explosions are going to eventually deplete the food supply so either way it can't last.

Someone has to lead and stop worrying about the followers. Let the Russians make friends with these terrorist groups look how well it worked for them in Afghanistan? The Iranians, dont have enough money to make a huge difference. We need to stop all Corporate and Religious war now.

June 3, 2013 at 1:37 pm |

jag

How do we make MONEY? and what do we do with our old weapons we have in stock?? let's arm them and they can KILL more faster and wipe themselves out from this EARTH!!!! ISLAM & PUSLIMS the PEACE OF SHIIIIT PEOPLE!!!!!

Spoken by a true god fearing Christian. There would never be a problem if the greed of the West was not there. Jag, you ANDYOUR KIND are the problem, ever since colonial days.

June 3, 2013 at 2:05 pm |

Safe haven!??

Even Jesus can't cure that kind of ignorance

June 3, 2013 at 2:12 pm |

jag the idiot!??

First of all these areas were Christianized before your forefathers became Christians, many Christian live in Syria and Jordan so it's not about Islam, having said that your kind is the reason for the Dark ages.

June 3, 2013 at 2:25 pm |

No Kidding

Occupying other countries has gotten expensive these days. Transferring Jihadists to the border, Jihadists room and board in Turkey, buying journalist pretending it's all for democracy!!! Keep your rock idea for now and pay your taxes.

I'm an old Marine. I believe in this great Nation. I am also tired of seeing all of the taxpayer dollars being spent overseas when some of it could be used here. And maybe some of the dollars would just not be collected from taxpayers. Not that is a wild idea. I alway hear about how we could use the money some other way. Well yes, I could use the money some other way if I just had it in my pocket. Maybe be able to afford health insurance so I could retire. Mr. President if you happen to read this, please stop sending the money overseas and to the members of the Senate and House of Reps. you also need to stop sending the money and get to work and stop fighting with each other and do your jobs.

Not to mention our congress getting paid to try and revoke the ACA 37 times and now are arguing to defund parts of it. Also they have started one investigation after another all for politics like the one with the IRS. The House of Representatives needs to be replaced with folks that can compromise. Heck these guys have left over 700 appointed positions open since Obama took office. No other congress in the history of the U.S. has been so unproductive. Still they voted themselves a raise 2 yrs ago. They are an insult to the American way.

Two years ago the Democrats held the majority in both houses of Congress. Just pointing that out as your post seemed to indicate the problem was with only one of the two major parties instead of it being with BOTH the major parties.

While I agree this and the previous 3 Congresses have not done their jobs, investigating the scandals currently rocking the Obama administration, is their job. If it is discovered that Obama is using agencies of the government to silence opposition then he will be the worst president on record and also a criminal. Everyone complains about Bush but Congress gave the go ahead to invade Iraq, he didn't just do it. Whether the Bush adminstration falsified intelligence or not is still unknown so until that is resolved you can't lay that at Bush's feet. However Obama using the IRS, if, and I stress if, he did, then he is guilty of a major crime, if he used the Justice Department to intimidate journalists, then he is guilty of a crime, and if he knew Americans were under attack abroad and he did nothing then he is guilty of a crime. That's what the investigation is for. I believe we should also look into an potential misuses of power under Bush as well. We, in order to truly be free, need to have a government we can trust, but one that also knows they will be held accountable for their actions and not allow them to cover them up by accusing people of being unpatriotic for questioning our government. In case people have forgotten, that's our job. The government answers, or their supposed to answer, to the people of the United States. It is wrong and unpatriotic to question someone's patriotism because they don't agree with you

June 3, 2013 at 1:53 pm |

PeterD

Is it True that Obama was born to Maasai Mara Zulu Tribal woman in Kenya before White Woman from Hawaii adopted him and raised him as a Muslim in Indonesia.

They DO have swords! Have not been watching over the last few weeks?
The IRS has been using their swords to fall on for Obama...hahaha

June 3, 2013 at 1:35 pm |

John

Why are we always setting the stage for a new war? Why are we the police of the world? If there is a direct threat against us, then that is one thing, but all these "tactical" wars of posturing are breaking the bank. (And that doesn't even account for the biggest expense, the lives of our forces.) So many countries have prospered because they don't have to pay for defense because the US does. "Share the wealth?" Yea, how about we "Share the bill!"

Where, in any part of this article did you read that we are giving this equipment away? I read through it a couple of times and all I can come up with is you are a fool. The us military doesn't give away there weapons when they go to a foreign country. The US already owns these pieces of equipment so we aren't paying extra or buying new. No money has been spent. All that has happened is the government has approved sending the weapons and letting them stay in that country BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT OF JORDAN ASKED FOR IT!!! Is it posturing? Sure. Does it seem a little aggressive? Sure. Will it cause us to become involved in the Syrian conflict? No not really. Do our troops get good training and experience using the weapon systems they are responsible for in a country that geographically similar to the ones we are currently fighting in? You bet! This kind of overseas training is beneficial for two main reasons. One being the fact that our troops are getting the opertunity to train with some of the best foreign forces in the world (French foreign legion, SAS and the Korean rock marines to name a few. And two, when our troops train in the US the unit using the range or training area must pay to use it! Yes your tax payer money is used to use land that the us gov already owns! So yeah take our weapons overseas and train hard with them. Use that FREE training ground and benefit from training with foreign forces. It's what makes our military the best in the world.

You want to save some money? If you are on welfare for more than a years then you should be required to spend 1 year active duty military. I bet a lot of you would find jobs real real quick.

I don't think this is fooling ANYONE. We need to stay out of this part of the world at all cost. We don't need to lose more lives to the Islamic nut job and Jihad liberation front, nor can we afford the costs any longer. Look around, we're a debtor nation.

people in pajamas living in caves are more important than fixing our own country. HMMMM sounds like we should fire this company/govt and get one that works for the people, not the 1 percent ruining this great nation of people.

PeterD- Yours is a perfect up-to-date example of misplaced priorities by our Government. I am not a fan of Obama at all; unfortunately this would be the expected response regardless of the party in power. And the citizens of the U.S. are forced (via taxes) to fund these actions even though they are completely against the idea. These same citizens are then at risk on their own soil by terrorism because of these type of actions by their own government.

Let me explain. Jordan is an ally with the United States, therefore, as war continues to break out in and around Syria, we have an obligation to assist Jordan in protecting themselves. To go in greater depth, Syria is providing Hezbollah, (terrorist group in Lebanon) with missiles. Jordan thinks Hezbollah will use the missiles on them because they are allies with Israel. That simple.

Really? We have an obligation? And as our ally exactly how is Jordan or Israel helping the United States?
By spending our tax dollars? Or ending our soliders lives?

June 3, 2013 at 1:28 pm |

EuroEnglish

Chad, the problem is that we funded Syria and continue to do so. This country needs to wake up and realize that we only have one ally in the Middle- East – Israel – All the others either consider us the 'Great Satan' or simply tolerate us as a means to free aid, once they no longer need us they WILL turn on us as well. The best solution at this stage is to pull out from every Islamic country, stop all aid to them all and put a US Military base in Israel, then make it clear that anyone attacking Israel is now also attacking the USA. Letting Israel know that if they attack anyone, with first coming under attack, else we will no longer be able to protect them. This will take us out of all wars that we should not be involved in and still keep business needs (Oil) open with nations looking to trade, as they will want our money and still sell to us. After that let them use the money we give for oil to support their own nations, their own region and keep us out of it.

June 3, 2013 at 1:44 pm |

Joe

Israel does benefit the USA. Does anyone know the billions of dollars or lives Israel saves. In excahnge for miliatry and other ssistance Israel, who is one of the leading nations in Medical and health products supplies those things to Us hospitals and companies.

Both the Republican party and the Democrtatic pary acknowledge that but I guess some people don't care about having state of the art medical equipment.

It's no longer a mystery why the US has a deficit and no money – because we keep sending FREE stuff to all these other countries. A free $250 million here, a free billion to Israel, free jets and missiles and rockets over here in Jordan, free communications equipment to Iran, after all these billions, it starts to add up to some REAL money.

Alas, you won't get a source. These are all talking points on the agenda mailed out to conservatives.

If you want to capture these and know that you can ignore them, create a mailbox that does nothing but sign up for news and talking points from the various organizations. You can watch first hand how information trickles down and eventually gets formed into key talking points.

This goes for both sides of the yammering and bantering. Democrats are actually better organized as they have been doing it electronically longer and with greater success, IMO.

June 3, 2013 at 1:29 pm |

Socrates

That is what an empire has to do to keep the empire alive. However, all the empires that have existed throughout history ended in bankruptcy
.

Yes, the pattern is you have ceased to be an American and decided to be a Republican that blames Obama for everything just like the Democrats who stopped being Americans so they could criticize Bush. Your right, i see a pattern. People would rather help their party then help America. I guess your excited that this will be a 3rd world country soon. Congrats.

June 3, 2013 at 1:24 pm |

Yakobi

And more countries liberated and more people around the world freed from Islamic fascism.

Not realy "reaching" as "receiving". The Dems aren't leaving much to the imagination. They are tripping over their own words, then trying to backtrack. Even Inspector Clousseau could find issues.

June 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm |

It's Me

The more weapons they get the better chance there is that they will blow each other up in the name of their religion until they are all gone. Good riddance to the violent Stone Age religion that is Islam.

lol. are people with hardly a clue inspired to comment here simply because of their profound ignorance?? Go back to school "It's me" and withhold any further comments until you have something even semi-intelligent to contribute.

June 3, 2013 at 1:30 pm |

Lee

As opposed to the Christianity which is a religion from the modern era....

If all of these leftists that posted on here are upset over this round of military intervention....then the US policy is spot on. I guage the soundness of US foreign policy by the rages of the left. The louder the left...the more sound the policy. Just sayin'......

I don't consider myself a leftist, but I most definitely am a taxpayer. This is a waste of American dollars. For my entire taxpaying life, I've helped subsidize Israel and now it looks l'll spend the rest of my life pouring money down the drain for a never-ending, constantly re-defined "war on terror." We should stay out of Syria (which, let's face it is what this is all about), we have no reason to fight Iran. We should spend money on projects within the US other than just building more tanks we don't need. Let the freaking Saudis bankroll Jordan. If that makes me a leftist, I think I have a lot of company.

OK. Starting tomorrow, Israel is no longer our ally and we no longer have to worry about their safety/security.

What now? You have your wish. What are the ramifications of your rant? What are the short and long term effects on our nation going to be?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Easy to say "tired of spending money on Israel" but when it comes to actual work to see what the impacts would be, it's just time to move on to another topic to whine about.

I agree we need to allow more of our soldiers to be maimed and killed as well as increasing tax dollars spent on munitions rather than education and infrastructure which also helps large corporation and millionaires, a very positive thing. You are a true patriot and exemplary Christian.

A pretty poor indicator, YOU are against everything the left does? I will tell you this, the US is the most warlike country on the face of the earth. In my 60+ years there have been precious few years that we have not been involved directly in a war or in regime change. Our most recent wars have left us with what? Dead and maimed youth, trillions of dollars spent just so that Afghanistan can return to the rat hole it was before we arrived? Or Iraq in the beginning stages of a civil war. The Arab spring so far? Egypt under a fundamentalist dictator, Libya on the way to fundamentalism, Syria in a bloody civil war that has no good ending either way. Lebanon starting yet another civil war. Our policies have been poorly thought out and will continue to be so until we decide that we can be a peace loving country. Nope not a lefy but an independent sick and tired of sending our youth to die for no benefit to the US.

The fact of the matter is you are "just sayin" nothing of any relevance other than spreading ignorance. The EXTREME left is wrong when they constantly decry the use of military force. The military is a tool but we aren't a tool that is useful for every situation. Alot of us (good people) died in Iraq because of faulty intel about WMDs, I believe diplomacy wasn't effectively used then. I believe it is here.

You are just as ignorant as the "leftist" you talk about. O'Bama wasn't responsible for the ambassabor's death and Bush wasn't responsible for the faulty intel he got about Iraq. Too many people like you pointing finger's at who's to blame and pushing the right or left even further. When what we need is more centered, diplomatic, and thought out than: "The leftist like it so I hate it."

So we are still allocating more than $500 M per year to pay the salary of the men who guard the stockpiles of Russian ICBM's just to keep Russia from selling off those assets to terror nations and organizations. So now we spend more billions to combat the red menace as Russia extorts more from us. Its like in China where the family of people executed in firing squads must pay the salary of the soldiers and cost of the bullets. Russia makes us pay the salary of its nuclear army in order to keep from using them against us. Maybe it would be better to just hit those nuclear stockpiles with the new nuclear bunker buster bombs we have developed.

Drugs or alcohol? Just wanted to know what fueled your half baked idea of attacking the Soviet Union. $500M if that is the number is cheap compared to dealing with nuclear arms in the hands of terrorists

We are currently producing F-16d's. The ones you were modeling were the A's. You are talking like the build is the same. When in fact, the Engines, HUD, electronics, targeting, etc. etc. have all been upgraded 3 fold.

Also they are not an intercepting aircraft by design. They are a multirole fighter. And Israel has plenty of superior aircraft we sell them besides the ones we sell any country in the middle east, even if they are the same type.

Jordan is and has been a U.S. ally. Like any of our allies it is our duty and responsibility to come to their aid when a threat to our allies territory is perceived. To not do so would be incredibly stupid and shortsighted. Everyone here who is bashing the U.S. Gov't for placing strategic assetts is either a total idiot or an Iranian Basiji professional commentator.

Thank You. I do not advocate the United States being a world police because the government may pass the boundary BUT, I do believe the United States should help its allies for theirs and everyone's interests.

Finally someone who recognizes this for what it is and the comment is only about 25 down the list. You are right my friend, this is just the next stage of a proxy war that has really been going on in the Middle East since Israel was born. Watch for the next Russian move in this overlong chess game, the shuffling of the pieces is getting quicker and quicker. I wonder why the people there don'r realize they are pawns of the Americans and the Russians.

Let me explain. Jordan is an ally with the United States, therefore, as war continues to break out in and around Syria, we have an obligation to assist Jordan in protecting themselves. To go in greater depth, Syria is providing Hezbollah, (terrorist group in Lebanon) with missiles. Jordan thinks Hezbollah will use the missiles on them because they are allies with Israel. That simple.

Actually you have simplified things just a little bit. Sure Jordan is an ally of the US, but the insertion of these weapons is a direct result of Russian S300 SAM missiles going into Syria. This is all a Russian/American pi$$ing match, one that has been going on for decades in the Mideast.

June 3, 2013 at 1:44 pm |

longmyre

While Anthony Bourdain sitz around on his fat ass filling himself with grissle from boney meals he is eating in third world country...the rest of us have to watch him stuff his face with grease!

Civilian Victims of USA Foreign Policy
"Why is the USA resented around the world?"
As such, it is an incomplete list of the victims of USA foreign policy. The USA is responsible if it directly attacks or bombs another country. It is responsible if it unilaterally imposes economic sanctions that kill. It is also responsible if it arms, trains and supports regimes that violate human rights.

The ones who don't like us are the ones we screw up their country for – like Iraq, Libya, VietNam, Korea.... As long as we give them money and food they tend to tolerate us, but when we push in and disrupt their way of life, increasing instability, increasing the civilian death count, telling them what to do and how to do it, imposing our own preferred government and religion upon them, ignoring their independence and right to govern themselves, well, they tend to dislike that a bit.

June 3, 2013 at 1:06 pm |

Craig

Is Nicaragua still on the American list, did I go and fall into a time machine again and end up in 1983? BTW, where is China and Russia on your "least favoured" list? And Cuba, when are they going to be booted off the enemy list; do Americans expect to be invaded by a bunch of armoured 57 Chevys sometime in the next decade? And nice to know that Egypt is still a pal; but again, the time machine anomaly here, nasser, sadat and mubarak are all history dude...

Ummm, by the very definition of the word "King", one would have to assume that a few others besides you have caught onto this concept that there was no election, regardless thanks for enlightening us. on the other hand, why are elections so necessary,;Americans managed to elect Bush Younger twice, so the system can't be that perfect.

Jordan is not qualified to protect the technology in a Patriot battery. They couldn't afford to buy them or maintain them either.

June 3, 2013 at 12:54 pm |

Dan

Desert Tortoise: You really have no idea what you're talking about, do you. Just Google "Economy of Jordan" and then come back and try to convince us they can't "afford" to buy the Patriot missile batteries.

June 3, 2013 at 1:30 pm |

Craig

Matt, the idea wasn't to give the weapons systems to a pal and help pay for them. It was to insert offensive weapons chosen by the US and pay for them, install them and train the Jordanians to make sure they were accepted. All this to counter the offensive weapons being pushed into Syria. The cost doesn't matter to your government, it is the principle of keeping up in the on-going proxy war with the Russians.

...and how much is this costing us (the US taxpayer)? We have bridges collapsing, people furloughed, an inefficient & terrible healthcare system, crappy education, etc... yet we seem to have billions to send in military "aid". Yep, America has its priorities....

Stupid politician stop concentrating to other countries and it is time to look own country. Spend money to make new highway, bridges that save Hundred of $B worth gas. Because you guys US going down and China is going up.

Of course they will stay. This is a ploy to "gift" these weapons to countries that would never pass muster to buy them and that couldn't afford to pay for them even if Congress approved the sale. Frankly, I'm pretty disappointed in Obama and Hagel in trying to pull the wool over the American people's eyes tying this 'give away' to the Syria debacle. Let Israel "gift" their weapons to Jordon. They have lots of missiles and F-16s. I'm 100% sure the Israeli lobby pressured the US to do this.

Wow what a cogent, well thought out repartee. he says butt so I'll say anus... Sounds like two kids in the sandbox. Go away racist, your opinions are not wanted

June 3, 2013 at 2:17 pm |

TomGI

Assuming your racist reference to "sambo" is Obama, at least you can be happy Romney wasn't elected because if he was the US would be poised to or engaged in attacks against Iran and American troops and air assets would be engaging targets in Syria already. 2 more wars to wage. Then 2 billion non Jewish folks would hate us even more furthering the cause of anti-American jihad to a higher level.

Yes...ur SMART! Sambo=Obama...for the other $64 question, just how much has he NOT done to phuck this country up?

June 3, 2013 at 12:38 pm |

longmyre

Hey fool...the Jews will fight the RIGHT wars when we go along with them to do so...the right wars area with Iran and Syria! Not the foolish ones we are now still engaged in after Obozo said all the troops would already be home from and they're STILL there!!!

June 3, 2013 at 12:45 pm |

Craig

listen shortmire, the only reason good ammerican soldiers are dying in what most assuredly are the wrong wars is they ought never have been sent there to begin with. YOUR GUY SENT THEM!!!!!!!!!! BUSH STARTED BOTH WARS AND NOW THE MESS NEEDS TO BE SETTLED. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS A HUGE F–k UP AND IT TAKES AWHILE FOR ANY ONE TO SHOVEL UP ALL THE SH1T.

this post exemplifies he kind of people that like "john Smith": racists, bigots, ignoramuses, isolationists. and generally people that have no clue as to what is going on in the world and the role of the US as the only legitimate superpower. Keep posting,trailer trash, so we can see who you really are.

Wow longmyre, so interesting to hear such reasoned arguments from the redneck crowd. Unsavoury characters like you have no place in rational discussion, crawl back under your rock. Somehow you manage to make your whole country look like racist losers.

America is the root of all terror. America has invaded sixty countries since world war 2.
In 1953 America overthrow Iran's democratic government Mohammad Mosaddegh and installed a brutal dictator Shah. America helped Shah of Iran to establish secret police and killed thousands of Iranian people.
During Iran-Iraq war evil America supported Suddam Hossain and killed millions of Iranian people. In 1989, America, is the only country ever, shot down Iran's civilian air plane, killing 290 people.
In 2003,America invaded Iraq and killed 1,000,000+ innocent Iraqi people and 4,000,000+ Iraqi people were displaced.
Now America is a failed state with huge debt. Its debt will be 22 trillion by 2015.

One could agree with much you said, but the US isn't the only govt that shot down a civilian plane. There have been numerous examples, including an El Al and 2 KAL passenger jets (which killed >300, including a US Congressman).

This is a message sent to Russia. You want to arm Assad, we will arm his neighbors. If Obama really wants to send a message to Russia to keep its MIGs out of the conflict, he should deploy a squadron of F-22s for the exercise.

This amazing fighter jet may come with a major design flaw. There have been several reports of pilots not getting enough oxygen and passing out in mid-flight. The United States Air Force has not yet found the cause for the loss of oxygen. The Raptor was grounded for five months after several reports of pilots passing out during test flights. After the five months they started up again, yet the problem still persisted. Some pilots are even asking not to fly them due to this. One incident even took a pilots life, and the other pilots were told not to take this to the public, and threatened their jobs if they did. The pilots still took this to the public and started up a huge controversy weather or not to keep the Raptor operational.

Dear clueless, this is old news (more than a year old). The hypoxia was due to a flight suit vest regulator valve, no pilot ever passed out, just disoriented, and the valve has already been replaced. Next time you try to show your ignorance, try doing some research first.

June 3, 2013 at 12:58 pm |

Un-John Smith

You must have missed where the article said F-16s. How's that reading comprehension? Not so good, eh?

Longmyre – Do you understand that Jordan is one of the few countries in the Middle East that Supports the U.S. and Israel? Your rant is why Americans cannot stand Tea Baggers, your ignorance and need to make uninformed statements is appaling. Your ilk are responsible for tearing this country apart and you are unpatriotic though I believe somehow your heart might be in the right place.

Actually you were firing on all cylinders until you said you thought his heart might be in the right place. This guy is a hating, intolerant racist who called your president Sambo. Whether u voted for him or not, this racist garbage just has to die out and America has to enter the 21st finally

June 3, 2013 at 3:20 pm |

Chuk

Great, just what we need: another military "exercise" to fan the flames. Why waste an opportunity to sell more weapons? And we expect the other side to take it lying down.
When is the West going to take a serious look at the accusation that the "freedom fighters" were really the ones that used chamical weapons? Bet we won't hear anymore about it since it doesn't play into their narrative that Asad is the bad guy.

Why is our government dead set on escalating this war? The war wouldn't exist without the meddling of EU and US.

The Russians have made it clear that this misguided attempt to overthrow their client state in the region is not acceptable and yet the president continues to escalate in support of these rebels, many of whom are islamic terrorists. We see how that worked in Afghanistan during the Russian war. We supported 'freedom fighters' who turned out to be terrorists and we've spent the last 12 years fighting them there. Stop meddling!

I would agree, the only tactical advantage we'll have by supporting these people is pressurring Iran. And by the way we already fought these so called freedom fighters in Iraq, the very same Syrians that Assad was helping to stop them from crossing into Iraq. Say leave them be let them deal with it themself and let us take our ball and go home

Here we go again: arming our enemies and soon will be sending our troops to die to protect us? Really! Who will protect us from ourselves? Our politicians? They are too busy flushing out country down the toilet.

Jordan is hardly one of our enemies. They are a key ally and hub of stability in the region. We should be doing much more to assist the country, especially since they are being overrun with refugees who are severely straining the country's limited resources.

If McCain/Palin won in 08 we would have boots on the ground and at war with Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Iraq and Lebanon just to name a few, not to mention 100k+ dead American soldiers. no big deal because we have a coalition of the willing....Israel.

Gee, how coincidental that we're arming Jordan now after Russia announced it was sending jets and missiles to Syria. Doesn't sound like war games...er, military exercises...to me. Sounds more like a game of ti t-for-tat. Interesting...but also a tad scary.

"but with an understanding that the weapons systems may stay in the country " .-- It is time to loose that BUT... IT is obviuos for everyone (except those wanna bee smart Feds), that this might be a beginning of new war.

Hypocrisy at it best. If we are against Russia sending missiles to Syria, why is the US Government doing same to Jordan that suport the rebels? "Practice what you preach or soon you may not get followers"

Rigggghhhhttt....sending precautionary defensive missiles to a country not involved in a conflict is the quivalent as sending missiles to a country that will be used against its own people in a bloody civil war. Definitley the same!

What's the difference between a Shiite & a Sunni ? Seriously ! Are ALL Shiites united against ALL Sunnis? Who's with Iran & who's with Saudi Arabia ? Can we get a Flow Chart to try & follow this stuff ?

MOST of the world's 1 BILLION Muslims are Sunnis
IRAN and NOW (after the US War) Iraq are Shia (there is no such thing as a Shiite – that is a Misnomer)
The Difference is much like the difference between Protestant and Catholic Christians and
has to do with Hierarchical Leadership issues.

Upon further review, I think you did do a Flow Chart. Are all Shias as angry at Sunnis about their Religious differences as the Middle East Crowd ? How do Non-Arab Muslims feel about this squabble ? Finally, isn't Iran using strong persuasive methods in trying to convert new Sect members ?–Could it have more to do with restoring the lost Persian Empire than Faith Issues ? TY

June 3, 2013 at 12:54 pm |

Kevin

Oh, shut up! You like a corrupt government? I know I don't. I guess that I'm not part of the 51% knuckle heads that voted for Obama.

The elite globalist bankers and corporations that run the U.S. and the UK are getting their wish... big war at our expense. They are even having one of their little idiotic meetings at the Grove hotel this week in England.

2 wars thats right 2. only a dolt would ignore the IRAQ WAR and AFGHAN wars. We still have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and we are still at war in both countries.. try reading up on our wars before talking garbage

June 3, 2013 at 12:25 pm |

Fearless Freep

***
Wattdafuk

2 wars thats right 2. only a dolt would ignore the IRAQ WAR and AFGHAN wars. We still have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and we are still at war in both countries.. try reading up on our wars before talking garbage

--------------------------------------------------
Two wars that BUSH started.
We only have training troops in Iraq, we are OUT of Iraq,
and Obama is winding down Afganistan.
You are flat out stupid.

June 3, 2013 at 1:16 pm |

Tom W.

Fact. The vast majority of Democrats in congress voted for both the war in Afghanistan (almost unanimously), and the war in Iraq.

June 3, 2013 at 2:01 pm |

KungFuqueU

Speaking of "Nationbuilding", when will we begin building our own nation? Our focus on "nationbuilding" other countries is killing and bankrupting US!.

How about we just let them blow each other up. When their wars seep into a decent, democratic country, we drop a few quick bombs on their military and/or government as a warning to keep it contained. They'll soon learn they are free to kill their own kind as much as they want as long as they avoid collateral damage.

The only way to stop this is to bring in a president who shares the same political views as Ron Paul. Our country is suppose to be more like Switzerland. We keep getting ourselves into more wars. If we would of listen to Ron Paul back in 1980's, none of the problems that we face would have existed.

yeah, right, nice try – it's your boy in office that calls the shots, or at least the ones that work out and he admits to... sad you're still part of the 'it's Bushs fault' crowd, get over it, it's all your boy now...

June 3, 2013 at 12:10 pm |

Kevin

I think that our president might finally be growing some balls. I'm sure that you don't have any.

With Iran's growing missile capability to strike Israel. the batteries in Jordan are going to be there to provide an added layer of defense to the imminent threat Iran poses to the Jewish state. Why doesn't our government state the real truth? Jordan is not going to be attacked by another Muslim state.

You'll have to excuse most of the posters here. They only have 3rd grade intellect.

June 3, 2013 at 12:21 pm |

Tess

Oh I can see it now – WW III. Thanks to our lovely politicians and inexperieced president – always stickin his nose where it don't belong – when will he realize he needs to cllean up his own backyard before messing around in others???

Good one. Play the Its all bushes fault card. When are you tools gonna realize that while Bush might have left difficulties behind, Obama hasn't done anything to fix it? Id argue that he has allowed and even pushed our great country into digression.
Your Bush card is used as pathetically as the race card in a corporate work environment. Man up and accept now, blaming bush isn't going to solve anything, its jut a scapegoat, a cop out for the mess Obama is creating.

June 3, 2013 at 12:18 pm |

Fearless Freep

Its going to take years to fix the DISASTER
Bush left us with.
You can still smell the stench.

June 3, 2013 at 1:57 pm |

dzze

American solationism is what led to WWII. We stayed out as Axis powers conquered and reconsolidated power. Now you think that a new isolationism will be good for anyone? Think about how this might play out in 10 years if we just stopped being involved.

When you see Obama behaving like Bush, draw the obvious conclusion..... its the only option. I believe that Obama would rather do anything he can to avoid this path.

History lessons that are 60 years old & involved very few similar Facts On The Ground have limited value. But the War Mongers love to beat their chest & holler the cliches`. I trust this Commander In Chief.

June 3, 2013 at 12:10 pm |

Fearless Freep

American "Isolationism" is not what led to WW2 Moron.

June 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm |

Like a BOSS

Dude, most every president has done this. This isn't something new with Obama.

This is about strategic destabilization of western enemies (uncooperative regimes)...Syria, Iran, Hezbollah. Why the harsh sanctions on Iran? Because they are allied with Syria and both support Hezbollah. Why destabilize Syria? Because they are allied with Iran and support Arab causes unpopular with the US and Israel (i.e. Hezbollah). In the process, the US is playing a cat and mouse game with Russia for strategic control of the middle east.

Oh, President Obama didn't plan for the health care of vets he sent to war?
I thought that began in 2001 & 2003 with the previous GOP President.
Too bad the GOP is all about Greed, Obstruction & Paranoia,
Instead of getting the problems solved (What Republican House bill solves this problem?)

Actually It was the bush administration who sent hundreds of thousands of troops to the middle east to invade Iraq and Afghanistan without any way to pay for those wars. nor did theyprepare for the influx of wounded from those wars.

all while saying: YOU GO TO WAR WITH THE ARMY YOU HAVE NOT THE ARMY YOU WANT

2 unjust wars, unpaid for and an economy that took a crap all laid in the lap of President Obama to fix...

Correct me on this but I am willing to bet you wanted to be cheneys intern.....

Remember "Mission Accomplished!"? Bush started the Iraq War with no exit strategy and certainly no plan to support the V.A. He and Cheney expected a very short war and almost no casualties. The V.A. was cratering far before Jan 2009 and nothing in the Bush budget accounted for a plus-up to the V.A. When President Obama took office the Republicans did nothing but block all initiatives – with over 150 filibusters from the Senate and every action from the House loaded with toxic riders. Make no mistake – the backlog in the V.A. is a product of the dishonest Bush war and the Republican obstructionism in Congress.

We are not making up the Darrell Issa story.
Look it up on Wikipedia: Arson, Embezzlement and Stealing Cars.
Its like Jeff Dahmer for Food Inspector.

June 3, 2013 at 12:44 pm |

Icurheinie

We've waited long enough, but the Iraq war has us snake bitten to the point where we don't have the balls to stand up to tyranny anymore. No Fly Zone? Yes. Tanks, weapons, and ammunition to the Rebels? Absolutely. If the Rebels lose we're talking a total disaster here. It's in everyone's best long term interests, ethically and financially, that we assist, and the world is nearly unanimously behind us.

Look at history. If we are involved in a war we win. If we are involved in someone elses conflict we either stay involved forever with no solution (Korea), or we lose (Viet Nam and ongonig middle-east conflicts). Time for our government to wake up.

We lost no battles but clearly lost the Vietnam War. One clue might be found when you look at the current name given to the former city of Siagon. Check out the flag of Vietnam. Vietnam should have been lesson enough to keep Bush and Cheney from entering the Iraq War. Look at Iraq now and try to explain how we "won". Explain the value of that "win" to the families of about 4,500 dead and tens of thousands of wounded Warriors. "Mission Accomplished!". Really?

June 3, 2013 at 12:02 pm |

Yikes-a-rama

We slowed and even stopped communist expansion. We were fighting China, Russia, and North Viet Nam their front yard. I call that a strategic win.

June 3, 2013 at 12:14 pm |

Fearless Freep

Yikes-a-rama

We slowed and even stopped communist expansion. We were fighting China, Russia, and North Viet Nam their front yard. I call that a strategic win.

We did a great job stopping dem commies huh ?
Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos all fell to the Commies, moron.

June 3, 2013 at 2:08 pm |

Larry L

Good points Dean. To truly win a war the American people must see a direct correlation between the cost of the war and the threat to America. I believe every war should include the military draft system – with no exemptions for gender, marital status, or college. With only 1% of Americans now considered veterans, too many Americans expect others to fight for them. The draft, with no exceptions, would cause many to reconsider our role as the world's police force.

Because it would be better to have a military composed of unmotivated and resentful conscripts. No thanks, we´re better off with a military that wants to be there.

June 3, 2013 at 12:07 pm |

Larry L

I spent 34 years in the military and understand the value of a well-trained and motivated force. But I also see Americans willing to engage in war carelessly – because neither they or their children will be called to fight. WWII was fought with draftees. Spend a day at a military medical center and you'll see the actual price of the war – and the faces of those who pay that price. My family has contributed heavily to America's war effort and I'd like to see that burden shared among the "chicken-hawks" who appear willing to fight every civil war on the planet.

June 3, 2013 at 12:16 pm |

Aaron

All these chest thumpers and blood lusters posting on forums all the time would have a different tune if they were the ones having to get shot at.

June 3, 2013 at 12:20 pm |

Patrick

A draft based military is more expensive, produces a less motivated, more poorly trained military, and is abhorred by pretty much the whole nation. Unless the U.S. faces an existential threat, you will never see the draft reinstated.

June 3, 2013 at 12:23 pm |

sparky

have you heard about our war with Serbia? The war was won and we didn't lose one man

WWII was the last war against an actual physical enemy, not a concept. WWII was the last popular war. WWII was the last war we won. All those since have been Corporate wars for natural resources and to enrich weapons mfgrs.

Our country has become the terrorist of the world. We buy and sell more arms than anyone else in the world. We are the ONLY people to have invaded half a dozen countries. We have become the Nazi's. All the while our people suffer from the waste of our national wealth and the positive image we had built around the world.

We're placing our federal workers on furlough and taking away 20% of their family's income because our politicians can't find a reasonable way to manage the budget. Yet we still feel we're able to engage in a mid-East civil war? We've been at war for 11 years and our Soldiers and Marines are worn out. Do we ever learn?

Yes, we should pay our federal employees a lot less, forcing them to flee to the private sector, where the salaries are obscene. Then this country will be an idiocracy, owned by China. Be careful what you wish for.

June 3, 2013 at 11:53 am |

111Dave111

Another Republican who gave GW Bush everything, when he allowed 9-11-2001 (Bush vacationed all of 8-2001), two wars in the Middle East, and a Recession worse than anything since the Depression (1929).
But now wants to cripple the recovery, and obstruct Highway, Bridge, and other Transportation spending.

June 3, 2013 at 12:17 pm |

Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

I agree. But at the same time, I wonder why conservatives still accuse the Obama administration of wasteeful spending when their previous administration under W. gave us two costly wars totaling over $5.5 trillion along with he Great Recession. They complain yet they still vote the same way.

Americans are so tired of this. When there is no imminent danger to America, perhaps it's time we started letting the people vote on matters of war. I highly doubt our greedy and corrupt government could convince the majority this is a good expenditure of their tax dollars. Wouldn't it be nice if our representatives finally started representing us?

June 3, 2013 at 12:00 pm |

allens

i thought we had a shortage of the patriot systems to use in our own country. am i wrong here?

Probably the same reason we have forts and tons of military equipment at home. It's not to prevent an invasion. It's because it's too expensive to keep everything deployed overseas. Also, it's a lot safer back at home.

June 3, 2013 at 12:19 pm |

Fearless Freep

Mohamed

Do you forget that Russia borders the U.S.? via Alaska?

Is that you Sarah ?

June 3, 2013 at 2:14 pm |

dzze

Wrong. We don't use Patriot missiles domestically. We are still safe that way... but one day, at the rate we are going, we might need them like Israel does today.

"Russia is an empire in decline"... NICE! The US now has something in common with Russia.

June 3, 2013 at 1:20 pm |

Josh

Ironically, the USA government is supporting the same culture - the Sunni culture - that committed Sep 11 terror act and every other single terror acts in the USA and abroad. The Sunni culture bred every terrorist we know throughout history. The USA citizens got killed only by Sunni terror, yet the USA government sending missiles and support to Jordan against Syrian governments. Despite all the sanctions that imposed on Syria by the USA since 1975 and on, no single Syrian whether Alwaites or Christian have ever attacked USA military or otherwise. Yet the USA government keeps the pressure and the economic hardship on Syria just to make the Saudi, Qatari happy and again the later are the culture who bred all the terror around the world.

Is it good enough for you to go and die? Is it good enough for your to send your children to die? Really? We've had 11 years of war yet only 1% of Americans are veterans. We don't need any more cheerleaders – we need players.

June 3, 2013 at 11:40 am |

Rudof vs

Right!

June 3, 2013 at 11:43 am |

dzze

wrong! 243 marines people were killed in beiruit in 1983. The list goes on and on, but this is the incident most people DO know about it.

As I stated in my post: never a civilian dies of an attacked carried by Alwaites or Christians from Syria. Yet, I know you trying to put the Shiaa Lebanese in this as they support the Syrian government. Well, I am not saying its ok to kill Marines but the Marines were an occupying forces of Lebanon. They were not killed on foreign soil as the Sunnis did. I hope that answered your question. Cheers!

I believe Syria is predominantly Sunni. Could be wrong, but I don't think so. It is, however, Iran's little boy toy, good friends with Hezbollah who have killed Americans. Iranians also have killed US soldiers in Iraq. And I hope you don't think that the US, or even Israel is the driving force behind the violence in the Middle East. The war is becoming what is has been almost since the birth of Islam: the battle between Sunnis and Shiites. Muslims are killing each other in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, et. al, and it isn't over the US or Israel. It's their war. Too bad the the US is trapped, not by its support for Israel, but by its need for Saudis to survive. They go down and its world-depression time,

Who money are they using again? I don't remember anything about voting on this for anyone to use my tax money, again into slave of debt because of the US Government. Why can't we take care of our own country, feed our own hungry children, get people back into their homes, but instead, we spend more money on missiles and tanks just to kill woman and children,

Exactly! The main difference is that American government rather prefers to live on borrowed money than rise the taxes so people would feel the actual burden. For now: just leave it to your children to sort out your mess! So how smart is that!

June 3, 2013 at 11:48 am |

Do your deep research

Borrow money? Hmmm....Have you seen anyone asking for their money yet? Let me re-phrase that, have you seen anyone dare to ask for their money yet?

Do you know what happen if the US stop trading with China? (example)

June 3, 2013 at 11:59 am |

woody

Many have said when war came to where Jesus was born it would be end times ! Jesus was born on the continent of Asia at Asia Minor . Syria too is located at Asia, at Asia Minor . Not many know that !

Because they were all relatively small, contained ones that didn't relieve pressure, but rather built it up!

June 3, 2013 at 11:47 am |

Joe

That region of the world has been at war since before Jesus was born and has never stopped fighting, nor will it ever stop fighting – in part because it's the region of the world where Jesus was born. Kind of ironic.

Good one Joe, you said war was always going on there (even before Jesus), and then you said that its because of Jesus being born there. Good logic!

June 3, 2013 at 11:48 am |

James PDX

dzze, incorrect. Joe said it was in part due to where Jesus was born. Obviously, that part was after his birth.

June 3, 2013 at 12:04 pm |

smack

Asia minor is Turkey, Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Israel. Ottoman empire was brithed form Turkey, which is Asia Minor. The Middle east is populated by Semites (Arabs and Jew), not Asians, I don't know why ppl keep bringing this up.

So you're going to focus on religion and RACE, while I was referring to GEOGRAPHY. Point is Asia Minor is Turkey.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=+asia+minor

June 3, 2013 at 11:44 am |

dzze

Jesus was killed by Romans because they were threatened by his rising influence. They killed lots of people this way.

June 3, 2013 at 11:46 am |

vbscript2

Yeah, smack is right. Jesus wasn't born in Asia Minor. Then again, Jordan isn't in Asia Minor, either. Also, as has also been said earlier, that region has been at war most of the time since several hundred years before the birth of Christ.

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CNN's Security Clearance examines national and global security, terrorism and intelligence, as well as the economic, military, political and diplomatic effects of it around the globe, with contributions from CNN's national security team in Washington and CNN journalists around the world.